Adjustable tube end



Jan. 21, 1964 VQLLET 3,118,209

' ADJUSTABLE TUBE END Filed. April 26, 1962 FIG. 7.

4 INVENTOR GEORGE VOL LET ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,118,209 ADJUSTABLE TUBE END George Vollet, 275 Randall Ave, Freeport, N.Y. Filed Apr. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 190,389 2 Claims. (Cl. 24-465) This invention relates to wrist watches and more particularly to an adjustable tube end for wrist watch bands.

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending United States patent application Serial No. 25,959, filed May 2, 1960.

Ordinarily, it is necessary to stock a sufilcient number of different size wrist watch bands, or tube ends therefor, to fit a variety of different sizes of wrist watch case mounting lugs. This not only requires an extensive inventory, but also is inconvenient when a required size is out of stock. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable tube end for wrist watch bands which can be conveniently and readily reduced in length to fit between the anchor lugs of wrist watch cases of diiferent sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable tube end device which can be applied either as a complete tube end for connection to the end of a wrist watch band or for direct mounting upon a spring pin of the wrist watch case.

A further object of the invention is to provide a separate shell type tube end which can be applied directly to the terminal element of the wrist watch band which receives the sprin pin therethrough, so as to form a decorative casing therefor.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable tube end which can be readily used with a stock of identical watch bands for mounting such wrist watch bands upon different wrist Watch cases in which the anchor lugs are spaced at different distances apart.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable tube end of the type described which can be readily adjusted to size by the consumer for mounting upon the wrist watch in a single and inexpensive manner, by providing readily manually removable severable end sections.

- Yet another object of the invention is to provide an arrangement which ensures that when itisdesired to remope only the outermost end section, this end section can be readily removed without disturbing the next adjacent end section.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in coniunction with the accompanyiru drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded front plan view of an adjustable tube end device made in accordance with one form of the present invention during assembly with wrist watch parts;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tube end device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

PEG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of one end portion of the tube end device as seen in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention with one end section shown as being removed; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of one end of the device as shown in FlG. 8.

3118,29 Patented Jan. 21, 1964 Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a wrist watch indicated generally by reference numeral 10, including a case 11 having the conventional laterally extending anchor lugs 12 formed thereon, these lugs having bearing openings 13 formed therethrough for receiving the opposite ends of spring pins 15, the lefthand one of which as seen in FIG. 1 is shown in position within the lugs while the righthand one of which is shown as removed from the lugs prior to connection of the band to the watch case. A conventional wrist watch band is indicated by phantom line 18 in FIG. 1, and its manner of attachment to the adjustable tube end of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The device of the present invention as seen in FIGS. 17 comprises an integral main body member indicated generally by reference numeral 20, this body member including a central tubular sleeve section 21, this central sleeve section having a cross-sectional configuration as seen most clearly in FIG. 3 such that it is adapted to receive a spring pin therewithin. As seen most clearly in FIG. 3 the central sleeve section has opposite longitudinal edge portions 23 and 24 which are disposed adjacent to but spaced from one another. As seen most clearly in F-G. 5, a central cutout 26 is provided in longitudinal edge 24, and a pair of end cutouts 27 and 23 are provided at the opposite ends of longitudinal edge 24. These latter cutouts provide access to the spring pindS upon which the tube end is mounted in operative position.

The body member extends laterally from the opposite longitudinal edge 23 to form a re-entrant flange portion 39 having cutouts 31 and 32 formed therein as seen in FIG. 2 to facilitate direct connection to the terminal end of a watch band as is illustrated in FIG. 1.

The tubular sleeve section 21 is provided with extensions 35 and 36 at opposite ends thereof, it being noted that these extensions are of the same cross-sectional size and configuration as the central tubular sleeve section.

Extension 35 is divided into two severable end sections 35' and 35", these end sections being defined by score lines 40 and 41 formed on the outer surface of the body member and correspondingly opposed score lines 40' and 41' formed on the inner surface of the body member. This construction may be seen most clearly in FIG. 7, and as will be noted more clearly at the lower portion of this figure, score lines 41 and 41' are cut deeper than score lines 443* and 40'. In a typical example, wherein the over-all tube end device may have a dimension of .743 inch with the material of the body member having a thickness of .007 inch, the score lines 40, it? may be cut .002 inch deep while the outer score line 41, 41' may be cut .0025 inch deep. This difference in depth while not being great in magnitude is significant proportionately speaking, and accordingly, the score lines 41, 41 are substantially deeper than score lines 40, 4t? considering the relative proportions of the parts. The difference in depth is sufficiently great that the outermost severable end section 35' may be much more readily peeled away than the inner severable end section 35". Accordingly, when it is desired to merely remove the outermost end section, sufiicient force need only be applied to remove this outermost end section, and since it can more readily be peeled away, there is no hazard that the inner adjacent end section will inadvertently also be peeled away at the same time.

It is accordingly evident that by providing score lines of different depths as set forth hereinabove, a means is provided for positively ensuring that only the outermost severable end section may be removed from the next adjacent inner end section when desired.

It will also be apparent that more than two severable end sections may be employed if desired, and in such a case, the score lines will be made successively deeper away from the central tubular sleeve section.

Substantially V-shaped notches 44 and 45 are provided along longitudinal edge 23 in extension 35, these notches extending completely through the associated edge, notch 44 being in communication with the outer and inner score lines and 40', While notch 45 is in communication with the outer and inner score lines 41 and 41. These notches serve as starting means for facilitating the peeling off of the severable end sections and further ensure that only one end section will be peeled off at a time when so desired.

Notches 47 and 48 as seen particularly in FIG. 7 similar to notches 44 and 45 are also provided at the opposite ends of score lines 40, 40' and 41, 41 respectively, these last-mentioned notches being usable for the same purpose as the aforementioned notches if so desired.

At the opposite end of the body member, extension 36 is similarly divided into a pair of severable end sections 36' and 36", these end sections being defined by a first pair of outer and inner score lines 5% and 59", and a second pair of outer and inner score lines 51 and 51'. It will be understood that score lines 56 and 5t) corre spond to score lines 40* and 49 respectively, While score lines 51 and 51 correspond to score lines 41 and 41'.

Score lines 50 and 51' may be cut to the same depth as the corresponding score lines 40 and 49, while score lines 51 and 51' may be cut to the same depth as score lines 41 and 41'. Accordingly, severable end section 36' can be more readily peeled off than severable end section 66" as discussed previously, thereby preventing undesired peeling off more than one section at a time when it is only desired to remove a single end section.

A first notch 55 is provided in longitudinal edge 23 of the body member and like notch 44 is in communication with the outer and inner associated score lines 50 and 50 respectively. A notch 56 is also formed in the longitudinal edge and is in communication with outer and inner score lines 51 and 51 respectively.

A notch 57 is also provided in communication with the opposite ends of score lines 5% and 50 while a notch 58 is provided in the opposite ends of score lines 51 and 51', these notches serving the aforedescribed purpose.

It is apparent that the tube end device of the present invention is adapted to be used with watch cases having lugs spaced at' varying distances from one another. some cases, it may not be necessary to remove any of the severable end sections, and in other cases it may be necessary to remove one or more of the severable end sections so that the device will fit comfortably between the lugs of the watch case. 7

In assembling the device, after the necessary number of severable .end sections have been removed, the tube end device may be applied to the terminfl end of a wrist watch band by means of the re-entrant flange 30. A spring pin 15 is then inserted through the tubular body member and mounted within the bearing openings in the angular lugs. When so utilized, the device of the present invention enhances the appearance of'the wrist watch band and enables a standard size wrist watch band to be employed withwrist watches of any standard size. Cutouts 27 and 23 provide means for gaining access to the spring pin during installation and later disassembly thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 8 of the drawing, a modified form of the invention is illustrated, wherein the device is intended to be mounted as a shell upon a terminal portion of a wrist watch band which is directly connected to the spring pin mounted upon the anchor lugs of the wrist watch. The device shown in FIG. 8 comprises a body member 60 including a central tubular sleeve sec- 4 tion 61, the body member having opposite longitudinal edge portions 62 and 63 which are disposed in adjacent spaced relationship to one another. The body member has the cross-sectional configuration as may be most clearly seen in the lower lefthand portion of this figure.

A pair of transversely extending slits 65 and 66 are provided in the tubular sleeve section 61 and extend transversely from longitudinal edge 62, the two slits defining a tab 67 therebetween.

Tab 67 may be inwardly biased so as to form a friction fit within the terminal portion of a Wrist watch band upon which it is mounted.

Extensions indicated generally by reference numerals 7t) and 71 are provided at opposite ends of the central sleeve section 61, extension including two severable end sections 76' and 70 which may be seen most clearly in FIG. 9. Outer and inner score lines 72 and 73 separate the severable end sections 70' from the tubular sleeve section 61 while outer and inner score lines 74 and 75 separate severable end sections 70" from severable end section 70.

As in the previously described modification, the score lines 74 and 75 are cut substantially deeper than the score lines 72 and '73 such that the outermost end section 70' may be more readily peeled off than the next adjacent or inner end section 79'.

Again in this modification, a first pair of notches and 81 are provided at the opposite ends of score lines 74 and 75 for the purpose hereinbefore discussed whilea second pair of notches 82 and 33 are provided at the opposite ends of score lines 72 and '73. It will be noted that the extension 71 at the opposite end of the device shown in FIG. 8 is cut away as at 85 to gain access to the spring pin when the device is in operative position. This extension 71 also includes a pair of severable end sections 71 and 71", end section 71 being shown as already having been peeled away. Severable end sections 71 and 71" are defined by inner and outer score lines one of which is illustrated by reference numeral 88 in exactly the same manner as are severable end sections 70' and 70" respectively, the score line separating end section 71 from sleeve section 61 being of less depth than the score line separating end section 71" from end section 71 for the purposes hereinbefore discussed in detail.

Notches, one of which is illustrated by reference nu meral 90 in FIG. 8, are provided at opposite ends of the score lines in the same manner as aforedescribed for a similar purpose. t It: l

When utilizing the device shown in FIG. 8, the neces-- sary number of severable end sections are first removed from the central sleeve section so as to properly adjust the length of the device so as to fit between the anchor lugs of the associated wrist watch case.

The device is then placed upon the terminal end of the wrist watch band and frictionally retained thereupon between inwardly biased tab 67, following which the spring pin carried by the terminal end of the wrist watch band is inserted in the mounting holes in the .anchor lugs of the Wrist watch case. In this manner, the device may be conveniently and attractively employed with wrist watch bands of any particular size and style to enhance the appearance of the band and wrist watch in a convenient simplified manner.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms I claim:

1. A11 adjustable tube end unit for Wrist Watch bands comprising an elongated main body member,

main body member including a central substantially tubular sleeve section having opposite longitudinal ed e portions thereof spaced adjacent to but spaced from one another, said main body member including an extension at each end of said tubular section, each of said extensions including a plurality of severable end sections, an outermost one of said end sections being defined by outer score means and an inner end section being defined by an inner score means, each of said score means including a score line extending completely circumferentially around the enter surface or" the associated extension and an opposed score line extending completely circumferentialiy around the inner surface of the associated extension, the score lines of said outer score means being cut substantially deeper than the score lines of said inner score means whereby it is substantially easier to peel away said outer end section as compared to said inner end section of each extension.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said extensions includes a pair of spaced longitudinally extendin edges, the longitudinal edges of each of said extensions having notches formed therein, each of said notches extending completely through the associated edge and being in communication with opposed score lines forn i on the inner and outer surfaces of the associated extension whereby said notches serve to readily start peelin off one of the end sections along one of the score means.

Reterences t'ie file of this patent d in STATES PATENTS UNITED 1,713,533 ones May 21, 1929 2,222,842 Humphrey Nov. 26, 1940 2,518,695 Guarnieri June 6, 1950 2,871,655 OLarte et al. 1959 3,038,602 Rapata June 12, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 423,982 Italy Aug 1, 1947 670,375 Great B tain Aur 16, 1952 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE TUBE END UNIT FOR WRIST WATCH BANDS COMPRISING AN ELONGATED MAIN BODY MEMBER, SAID MAIN BODY MEMBER INCLUDING A CENTRAL SUBSTANTIALLY TUBULAR SLEEVE SECTION HAVING OPPOSITE LONGITUDINAL EDGE PORTIONS THEREOF SPACED ADJACENT TO BUT SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER, SAID MAIN BODY MEMBER INCLUDING AN EXTENSION AT EACH END OF SAID TUBULAR SECTION, EACH OF SAID EXTENSIONS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SEVERABLE END SECTIONS, AN OUTERMOST ONE OF SAID END SECTIONS BEING DEFINED BY OUTER SCORE MEANS AND AN INNER END SECTION BEING DEFINED BY AN INNER SCORE MEANS, EACH OF SAID SCORE MEANS INCLUDING A SCORE LINE EXTENDING COMPLETELY CIRCUMFERENTIALLY AROUND THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE ASSOCIATED EXTENSION AND AN OPPOSED SCORE LINE EXTENDING COMPLETELY CIRCUMFERENTIALLY AROUND THE INNER SURFACE OF THE ASSOCIATED EXTENSION, THE SCORE LINES OF SAID OUTER SCORE MEANS BEING CUT SUBSTANTIALLY DEEPER THAN THE SCORE LINES OF SAID INNER SCORE MEANS WHEREBY IT IS SUBSTANTIALLY EASIER TO PEEL AWAY SAID OUTER END SECTION AS COMPARED TO SAID INNER END SECTION OF EACH EXTENSION. 